Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of performing muscle-sparing thoracotomy and intercostal sutures in the treatment of upper and/or middle thoracic esophageal cancer for the purpose of tumor control and postoperative quality of life improvement.
Methods: Seven patients with esophageal cancer were treated with vertical muscle-sparing thoracotomy and Mckeown esophagectomy. Detailed clinic data were summarized and analyzed with patient follow-up information.
Results: Of the 7 patients, five were still alive with a 71.4% five-year survival rate. There were no deaths resulting from the operation in this group. The mean length of thoracic incision was 11 cm. The range of hospital stays was 14 to 25 days, with a mean length of 18 days. No patients complained of impaired shoulder action, and the incision pain was hardly perceived without external stimulation 1 month after operation.
Conclusion: Performing the muscle-sparing thoracotomy in the treatment of early-stage esophageal cancer located in the upper and /or middle thoracic segment yields a satisfactory long-term survival rate with an improved life quality in terms of incision pain relief and shoulder function.